TACLOBAN CITY—Two high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the military in Nato village, Taft, Eastern Samar, on August 20, leading to the recovery of firearms, the Philippine Army reported on Thursday. Rolando Romanca, alias Arman, the commander of the NPA’s Apoy Platoon operating in Eastern Samar, surrendered to the troops of the 52nd and 78th Infantry Battalions. Along with him was Jovy Mendez, a medical staff member of the rebel group.
According to Philippines News Agency, Romanca’s surrender was facilitated through a localized peace engagement led by the local government unit and a program of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade. Romanca cited the deaths of their leaders, Joel Gaurino alias Duran, and Martin Colima alias Moki, during encounters earlier this year as reasons for their demoralization and eventual surrender.
Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan, commander of the 78th Infantry Battalion, disclosed that Romanca provided information on August 21 about the location of hidden firearms, leading to the recovery of two M16 rifles, 11 magazines, 317 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, hand grenades, subversive documents, and other personal items.
Bugaoan credited the successful surrender to intensified peace and security operations, as well as continued engagement with the families and relatives of remaining NPA members. With Romanca and Mendez’s surrender, the Apoy Platoon now has only 11 remaining members, down from 47 when the 802nd Infantry Brigade was deployed on Samar Island on June 1, 2023.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, urged the remaining members of the Apoy Platoon to embrace peace, noting that their leaders had either been killed or surrendered. “Our relentless peace and security efforts will continue until every one of you has embraced a peaceful resolution,” Vestuir said.